Your baby

This is an exciting week for your embryo, which is now officially recognised as a foetus, which means "little one". Your growing baby measures 18 - 25mm, or 0.5 – 1 inch long and weighs in at a whole gram!

Many changes are taking place this week — the embryonic tail disappears and all the organs, muscles and nerves are beginning to function. Your baby's heart has four chambers and the liver is producing red blood cells, which are pumped around the body.

The face is very human looking although the eyelids are still closed tightly over the developing eyes. The hands can bend at the wrist and the feet begin to lose their webbed appearance. Your baby is very active, already moving his arms and legs, although you can't yet feel the movements.

Your progress

You may begin to notice that you're gaining weight and that your breasts are heavier, feeling full and tender with more pronounced veins. At this stage, the areola typically darkens and Montgomery's glands - the sweat glands on the areola - may become more obvious. You may now need a bigger bra size, so now is a good time to invest in good supporting bras to help you feel more comfortable.

Although it’s not yet time for full on maternity frocks, you may notice your waistline expanding, making your favourite jeans tighter than usual. Of course you probably won't look any different to other people, so don’t be surprised if everyone else treats you the same as ever.

Those hormonal changes are still playing games with your sense of taste and digestion and you may start to notice how many times you go to the toilet during the night as your womb presses on your bladder. Already, your ligaments are softening to prepare for the growth of your baby, so take care to exercise gently.

What to think about

Free health care

During your pregnancy and for 12 months after the birth of your child, you are entitled to free NHS prescriptions and NHS dental treatment. Your child also qualifies for free prescriptions until they reach the age of 16. Ask your doctor or midwife for the necessary forms as early as possible during your pregnancy.

Employment rights

According to current law, you can't be made redundant, dismissed, or given unfair treatment because of your pregnancy. You are also entitled to paid time off for antenatal care throughout your pregnancy, including classes if your doctor or midwife advises them. During pregnancy, early motherhood and breastfeeding, the law states that your work must not put your or your baby's health at any risk. If your employer cannot adjust your working hours or conditions to make them safe, you are entitled to be offered a suitable alternative job, or else be suspended on full pay for as long as needed. For more information, visit the Equal Opportunities Commission website at

http://www.eoc.org.uk/

Maternity rights

Now’s a good time to start planning your maternity leave and see what you’re benefits you’re entitled to. To check your own maternity rights, visit the Government’s Tiger website at http://www.tiger.gov.uk/maternity/employee_april03/index.htm which explains both the existing and the new rights, as well as an interactive calendar to help with planning leave and notifying your employer about your maternity leave intentions.

Maternity benefits

For factsheets on the benefits you can claim when expecting or bringing up children, visit

http://www.direct.gov.uk

Paternity rights

For information about paternity rights and leave, try

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk